It’s commonly believed that osteoarthritis is caused by joint overuse or gradual wear and tear that eventually catches up with people around middle age.26,27
But osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that can also affect people at a much younger age26
Risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Repetitive stress from sports or certain occupations
- Metabolic disorders
- Genetics
- Aging
- Joint injury

Even healthy, athletic people may develop osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that can strike anyone at any age.26